From our Health Library at UPMC.com

Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment

Interventional procedures for treating acute or chronic DVT

Thrombolysis: a catheter delivers medication to break up a blood clot. Doctors perform thrombolysis in the hospital under careful monitoring.

Vena cava (IVC) filters: small, metal devices positioned in the vena cava — near the renal (kidney) veins — stop blood clots in the legs before they can travel to the heart and lungs and cause pulmonary embolism.

Venous stenting: stents (small tubes) in the vena cava or pelvic veins open a thrombosed vein and help relieve or prevent leg swelling. Vascular surgeons often perform venous stenting with thrombolysis — either right away or years after DVT is causing symptoms.